ADNOC Expands Tanker Fleet in $1.3B Deal; BP Consolidates Trinidad Gas

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has acquired 11 supertankers for $1.3 billion to expand its export fleet, according to reports from OilPrice.com and Rigzone. The state-owned giant's logistics unit bought five Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) and six Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) in a move to support growing production and export volumes.

Nine of the vessels were acquired on the secondary market and are scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2026, entering service immediately. The remaining two VLGCs are newbuilds from a Chinese shipyard, with delivery expected in the fourth quarter. This fleet expansion follows a $900 million order for four newbuild LNG carriers placed by ADNOC last month, Rigzone reported.

The United Arab Emirates has maintained oil exports at pre-crisis levels, utilizing routes both through and outside the strategic Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC Logistics & Services currently owns over 340 vessels and operates 600 chartered ships, according to OilPrice.com.

In a separate major deal, BP has acquired Woodside Energy's stake in the Calypso deepwater natural gas project offshore Trinidad and Tobago, Rigzone reported. The project is described as an early-stage development in a region where BP already has an established business and extensive infrastructure.

For Bakken operators, these moves by international giants highlight the continued global competition for market share and the critical importance of export logistics. ADNOC's significant investment in its owned fleet underscores a strategic focus on controlling transportation costs and securing capacity for its crude and LNG, factors that influence global pricing benchmarks tied to Bakken production.

While North Dakota's crude primarily moves via pipeline and rail to U.S. refineries and export terminals, the global tanker market dynamics can indirectly affect the netback for exported barrels. Consolidation in major projects, like BP's move in Trinidad, also signals where large capital is being deployed for future natural gas supply, which competes in global energy markets.

The announcements reflect a busy period of portfolio optimization and infrastructure investment by leading international operators as they position for future demand.